Reading and learning
If you are new to the xeriscaping process, then it is important to read and discover all information that goes along with the project. The more you know about what you are doing will give you the tools that you will need to make your landscape a success. There are plenty of places to get the facts and directions to xeriscaping.

Plan and think out your design
Make sure that you have a plan. Find out where things are and consider the view, the slope and the sun exposure. Take into consideration the existing vegetation and the site that you are intending to design.

Improve the conditions if necessary
Soils will vary at every given site. If you have poor soil, you will want to give it the nutrients that it needs to get in shape for your xerscaping process. Adding compost to your soil will bet it into top shape for your plans.

Picking your plants
Most plants are fine to use with xeriscaping. Selecting the plants should be based on the intended use in you landscape design. Use plants with lower watering needs and this will allow the maximum water conservation for you.

Irrigation systems
You should plan out your irrigation system well. Irrigate turf areas separately. Group the plants that have the same needs together. Not all plants have the same watering needs. Irrigation needs will change with the season and the weather. You will need to irrigate according to the condition of the plants instead of on a maintenance schedule.

Organic Mulches
Mulches minimize evaporation and reduce the amount of weed growth. By using mulch, it will make you xeriscaping a success. Organic mulches such as wood chips or bark are the best choice. Never use any solid plastic under the mulch or anywhere else in the landscape.

Good pruning, weeding and fertilization will preserve and enhance the quality of the xeriscaping that you do. All the prospects of xeriscaping will ensure a healthy and attractive landscape with the use of the proper amount of water.

Technorati Tags: landscaping, hedges, lawn

Before preparing everything for the winter, make sure that your lawn is healthy. It is important to not stop mowing the lawn too soon or to stop watering the grass before the season is over. By doing this, the lawn will not be able to take in the last of the nutrients before the ground freezes.

When the right time comes, the first thing which should be done is to rake all of the leaves and debris that is on your lawn. By doing this, you will be allowing the nutrients and sunlight to continue to move into your lawn through the winter season. Bad soils that are in your lawn at the time will also be removed, causing only the healthy soil to remain in place and balancing out the pH contents. Raking also helps cause better aeration to occur throughout your lawn, which will help your grass to become greener when spring time comes back around. You will also prevent diseases from occurring from molds that may form as a result of the ice and snow moving into the soil and molding. The wet from the snow will often find debris or leaves to hold onto in order to mold.

The fall season is also a good time to apply weed control to your lawn. This will cause the weeds that were growing in your lawn before to not be able to come back the next year. This is especially good for the broadleaf weeds that were trying to grow in your lawn for the season. Eliminating weeds at all times will help prevent further weeds from growing. Unlike grass, weeds continue to grow throughout the year, making it harder to eliminate them when the spring comes.

The third thing that should be done in order to prepare for the winter seasons is adding compost or fertilizer that will help your lawn throughout the winter seasons. Because grass becomes dormant, instead of dying, it is important to make sure that there are extra fertilizers that can be stored throughout the winter. This will help especially if there is ice or snow that will cover the ground, as the grass will have extra stored resources to help move through the winter season. This also helps the grass recover from the heat of the sun from the summer and will prepare them for the same thing next year.

It is always important to check on the soil and the amount of pH balance that is contained at that time. Because of the shift in nutrients and soil during the summer seasons, the pH balance can easily change. You may need to reduce the acidity or re-balance it through the use of different fertilizers. By doing this before the winter season, it will give the fertilizer time to soak into the soil; making it more balanced by the time the spring season arrives for a re-growth in your lawn.

Another thing to do in winterizing different parts of lawn care is to make sure that your lawn mower is ready to be stored away. In order to keep the mower running like new, it is important to make sure it is taken care of during the winter season as well. It s important to remove all of the gas and oil that is left in the mower. If you don t do this, the oil and gas will become old and will not be useful in the spring. It may become too thick to be able to allow the lawn mower to run.

By preparing your lawn and lawn care maintenance tools for winter, it will make it easier to take care of in the spring. It will also help your lawn to stay healthy, even though it is a dormant season of the year. Winterizing your lawn is a way to allow a better and healthier lawn to come back at the beginning of the next year.

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The truth of the matter is that when people are evaluating your home, they quickly make lasting judgments based on your home s curb appeal. If your home looks lovely from the outside, they will assume the inside is just as lovely. If it is damaged and messy from the curb, they will likewise assume the same about the inside. This may or may not be the case at all, but people will assume what they will. Perhaps you could care less what others think, but when you are trying to sell your home, it is essential to care about these opinions.

So, if you have little money and time to invest, make sure you take enough time and funds to start with your yard. Hedges are one of the best places to begin. If you already have hedges on your property you are ahead of the game. Groom these hedges so they are formal looking and elegant. Even if you prefer your hedges to be more natural and never prune them (many people choose this natural style), take a chance and prune them. People will notice your handsome hedges and be more apt to want to take a peek inside your home.

If you don t have hedges, you can purchase them for very little money, relatively. Hedges are relatively inexpensive and provide instant updates to the curb appeal of your home. You can use them at the boundary lines between your property and your neighbor s to clearly show viewers where your property ends. You can also use shorter versions against your home to add style and class. You can use any variety of shrubs for this task. Just be sure you choose one that works well in your location and is easy to deal with.

There are a few things you should avoid when trying to utilize hedges however. You should never keep hedges that are so tall they interfere with the beauty of your home. Hedges should compliment your home, not overtake its look. If you have hedges that are growing up the sides of your home, consider cutting them back. Grooming your hedges properly may be easy for you or you may want to hire a professional to help. To get an idea of what works for your home, ask an honest friend to dictate to you their opinion on your hedges and how they view them.

When your hedges are handsome, they will be seen with the benefits they provide. For instance, people will see that they are great for privacy and for protection. Viewers would much rather see a lovely hedge instead of an unsightly fence as a boundary. They will also be able to notice how birds, animals, and beautiful insects such as butterflies would love the property. Nature enthusiasts are the first to notice enticing landscaping. Those who appreciate good landscaping will also note that hedges are much better shields from the wind and can prevent damage in storms. All of these things will help raise the value of your home to a potential buyer.

Overall, it is important to pay attention to the exterior of your home when trying to raise the value. Looking at landscaping is an easy and inexpensive way to begin this project. By including nicely groomed hedges in your plan for renovation, you will instantly boost your home s curb appeal. In correlation, when you boost your home s curb appeal, you instantly boost its value. So go ahead and take out the trimmers, buy a hedge plant and begin adding to your home today!

Technorati Tags: landscapers, garden

One of the common problems in lawns is an abundance of weeds getting ready to take over the grass that is growing in your lawn. Weeds can be prevented and taken out of your lawn through simple methods. However, there may also be an invitation for more weeds to grow in your yard if the right preventative measures aren t taken in getting rid of weeds in your lawn. Here are ten things that you should keep in mind and not do when getting rid of the weeds in your yard.

1. Don t mow at the wrong time. One of the ways to encourage weeds to grow is through low mowing. This won t allow you to see the weeds as they grow, and will cause them to seed easier, spreading faster through your yard. It is also best not to mow right after you have applied a weed killer, as this will cause the killer to be picked up out of the ground, instead of moving into the weeds.

2. Don t avoid putting fertilization in the yard. If you don t fertilize your yard, there won t be enough nutrients available for your grass. The nutrients that are in the soil will go to the more deeply rooted weeds, which will eventually take over the yard.

3. Don t fertilize at the wrong time of the year. Depending on the type of fertilization that you decide to use, you should put it in at a certain time of year. Most of these are best in the early spring or early fall. If you put the fertilization in at the wrong time, then it may cause weeds to use the fertilization, as the grass will be stressed from the sun or from other factors.

4. Don t over-water. If the soil can t soak up the water that you are giving to the grass, then it is a perfect opportunity for weeds to take the extra water for their own growth. It s important to make sure that the water is all going into the soil and being used for the grass.

5. Don t have too much shade. By having shade from bushes or trees, weeds will have an extra chance to grow. Many different types of weeds begin in the shade, as they don t need as much sunlight, then spread to other parts of the yard. By cutting back tree branches and bushes, this will prevent weeds from growing.

6. Don t apply herbicides with low soil moisture. While herbicides are used to prevent weeds, doing this when the soil moisture is low will cause damage to the grass as well as not be effective in the prevention of weeds.

7. Don t add herbicides to new sod or to newly planted seed. If you add herbicides or weed remover before the grass has a chance to grow, it will have the opposite effect than what was intended for the growth of the grass.

8. Don t use the wrong kind of weed killer. If you use the wrong kind of weed killer, it may cause the opposite effect from what was intended, or have no result at all. It may also damage the grass.

9. Don t use weed killer in the wrong season. If you use weed killer in the summer, it will most likely evaporate instead of moving into the weeds. The weeds also aren t really growing in the spring and fall, making it easier to kill them and prevent them from growing in the summer.

10. Don t use the wrong prevention method. There are several different types of weeds, each which thrive in certain types of environments, with several different factors in relation to the nutrients that are available. It s important to choose the right type of weed killer, and to identify which type of weeds you have. By doing this, you will be able to kill the weeds easier. You will also allow less maintenance time in getting rid of the weeds in your yard.

By knowing the exact method in taking out weeds in your yard, you will be able to follow an easier process for getting rid of the weeds in your lawn. You will also be able to prevent more weeds from appearing without having to do as much maintenance in your yard. By not knowing exactly what to do for weed prevention, you may be inviting more weeds to grow in your yard.

Technorati Tags: landscaping, hedges, lawn

Broadleaf weeds. These are the number one type of weed that is found in lawns. They can easily take over the entire yard by taking the good soil and water from your plants. Some of these will appear every single year, with new roots forming in the same place, even after you pull them out. The seeds spread quickly as well. These are found in almost every single lawn and are constantly taking the nutrients and water from the grass that is growing around it. If these aren t handled, they can easily kill off all of the grass and take over your lawn. However, there are several other types of weeds which will try to take over your lawn. It is always best to identify what these are.

Growing and spreading of weeds. One of the most common problems with weeds is that they reproduce easily. Once one weed finds a home in your lawn, several others will begin to spring up around it. Because of this, it becomes hard to get a handle on the weeds once they start growing. Even after you have pulled the weeds out, there may still be several seeds or roots that are in the yard, which will cause the weeds to take the nutrients from the lawn and use them for their own growth.

Hidden Weeds. Sometimes, it is hard to see the weeds that are in your lawn. They may get mowed over, or may just be a small type of weed to begin with. Several weeds will thrive without you ever noticing that they are there. This will help them to grow and spread throughout the lawn, causing major problems later on. Because of this, it is important to take some time to find the hidden weeds that are growing in your grass. These kinds will always continue to grow and eliminate the nutrients that the grass needs in order to survive.

Because of the problems that weeds bring with them, there are several ways to get rid of the weeds. The first thing to do is to identify which type of weed it is. There are some types of weeds that are best eliminated at a certain type of year. By doing this, you will be determining that they will never come back again. The second thing to do is to find the right type of weed eliminator for your yard. Some will use a fertilizer or spray in order to get the weeds out. Others will spend time pulling the weeds out from their yard. If you decide to do this, it is important to get all of the roots out with the weed, in order to make sure that you are getting rid of the entire problem.

If weeds do take over your yard, it is because they are soaking up the nutrients and water that the grass needs. By doing this, the grass will not be as green as it should be; it will begin to turn brown, and eventually will die completely, while the weeds begin to get healthier. Because of this, it is important to find weeds before they get too big and start to soak up all of the nutrients that are supposed to be going to your lawn.

Weeds can become problematic for lawns. They can easily take over an entire yard by taking nutrients, spreading easily, and returning year after year. Certain types of weeds are especially attracted to lawns and need to be watched for. Because of this, the proper maintenance, as well as identifying the type of weed that is taking over your yard will help in eliminating weeds completely.

Technorati Tags: landscaping, landscapes

Plants make all the difference
When you are planning a tropical backyard, you will want to include a lot of plants. Lots of greenery and wild colors will enhance your tropical illusion. There are plenty of plants and flowers that will grow in any weather conditions. If you are not sure what to use and what plants and flowers are best, then ask someone at your home and garden center.

Add a water feature
What is a better way to feel like you are in a tropical getaway then having a beautiful water feature in your backyard. You can design something small or if you have the space go for the gold and design something magnificent. Make sure that you have enough space and do not make it look gaudy or overbearing.

You can add rocks and stones around your yard along with the plants and flowers. This will add to the tropical feel and bring a more natural look to your landscape.

Ponds and fish
One great way to bring a tropical feel to your backyard is adding a pond. Even if you do not have a large area, you can make a great looking small pond just the same. To add to the whole tropical theme, add some tropical fish and plants. This will create a soothing and peaceful atmosphere.

Furniture
Another important factor in designing a tropical landscape is the furniture that you choose. There are plenty of stores that offer great wicker and tropical themed furniture. You will be sure to find something that matches your theme with the same style and also add comfort to your backyard.

Accessories are the final touch
Picking the perfect tropical accessories will accent any tropical paradise just right. You will want to choose items that compliment you look and also add a calm peaceful look to your design. Candles and lights are great choices. Citrus and fruit scents are a great choice for this design. String lights across the patio and lie back and enjoy your own personal paradise.

Technorati Tags: landscapers, garden

Know how much water to give your grass. It is important to know the climate that you live in, as well as what type of soil that you have and the nutrients which you need to give your grass. By determining all of these different things, you will know how much water you need to supply with your grass. Each region is different, and can be measured easiest by keeping these things in mind.

Knowing how long to water your lawn. Many will stop watering their lawns after the spring and summer seasons are over. However, even if you are thinking that it is going to snow a lot, beginning in the late fall, it is best to continue watering your lawn. Because of the colder temperatures that are arising, the shift in climate moves into that of a desert, meaning that the lawn is in need of more supply of water, rather than less. By the time the cold takes over, it will ice the water and freeze the ground, making it so that the grass doesn t receive the same nutrients that are needed.

Irrigation Systems. There are several different ways to water your lawn which will make it easier for both you and the grass. Automatic irrigation systems are one way to water your grass. They can help to save money as well as save on water supply. If you have an even surface, the best type of system to put in is a spray lawn sprinkler. This gives a lot of water to the lawn in a shorter amount of time, which will then be soaked up by the soil quickly. If your lawn is on a slope, it is best to have a rotor lawn system. This applies water at a slower rate, but can water larger areas that are uneven. By knowing what type of water system you need, an irrigation system can help in saving on maintenance time, as well as saving on water supply.

Know the soil type. This will help to determine how much water your grass will need. There are basically three different types of soils. The first is clay, which will not need as much water. The second is loamy soils, which is an average type of soil. The third type of soil is sandy, which requires more water. The difference between these three is the size of the soil. The larger soils can soak more water and keep it in the yard. You can tell the size and type of your soil by the qualities and the size of the soil. For example, clay soil will be stickier and can be rolled into balls without falling apart. Loamy soil can not role in a ball, but will stick when you apply pressure to it. Sandy soil will fall apart without you being able to control the form that it takes.

Watering your lawn at the right time. If you water your lawn in the middle of the day, you are likely to have to water your lawn more, without the lawn carrying the nutrients for long periods of time. This is especially important when the weather is hotter, as the sun will take the water and cause it to evaporate, instead of allowing the water to soak into the soil. It is said that the best time to water is either in the morning or evening. This will not only help with preventing extra care to the lawn, but will also preserve water.

The most important thing to keep in mind when determining the factors in watering your lawn will be how to save on water while supplying the right amount of nutrients to the lawn. By doing so, your lawn will stay greener throughout the years.

Technorati Tags: landscaping, hedges, lawn

It is best to aerate your lawn at least once, and possibly twice during the year. For those living in a warmer climate, it is best to aerate your lawn in the late spring. If you live in a cooler climate, the best time to aerate is in the fall. The only time that you definitely shouldn t aerate your lawn is in the warmer summer months. By doing so, you will damage the lawn as it becomes stressed under the heat.

You can also know when to aerate your lawn by recognizing some of the problems that your lawn may be having. If the water isn t moving into the soil in the ground, it probably means that the soil is too compact and isn t able to reach the roots. You can also tell by fertilized grass not turning green and other parts of the lawn staying flat.

If your yard is close to a street where there is some traffic, it is especially important to aerate your lawn, as this will cause the aeration to become polluted and not allow nutrients to move into your grass. If the soil that you have in your yard is compacted, you should also consider aerating more often, as this holds in the air that needs to move through the grass in order to keep it healthy and green.

One type of popular aeration that is used is known as core aeration. This pulls up plugs of soil and puts them as topdressing. When you water next, or when it rains, the soil will disintegrate. Air will then be able to move into the soil where the holes were put, giving more nutrients and room for the grass. Another reason why core aeration works is because the water will be held in the soil for a longer time, instead of running off of the soil.

A similar way to aerate your lawn is through a punch aerator. This pushes holes into the soil, instead of putting the soil on the surface. If you think that the grass will need more nutrients from the soil, then it is better to use the punch aerator method. This will still allow more oxygen and water to move into the soil, causing for healthier grass.

A third way to aerate the lawn is through de-thatching. This can be done at any time of the year. The more that it is done, the better it is for the grass. By thatching, you can rake up the dead grass, moss and debris that are left on your lawn. By doing this, it will give the outer surface of the grass more room to breathe and take in the nutrients that are needed from both the sun and the air.

All of the different types of aeration methods include tools that can be used in order to make your job easier when you aerate your lawn. Before you aerate, make sure that your yard is moist, as this will make it easier for the soil to move out of the areas in which the core aeration is. This will also make it so there isn t as much stress to the grass. It will also allow you to not accidentally pull up parts of the roots or grass when aerating.

Aerating your lawn will allow an easier movement of nutrients, water and oxygen in your lawn. By aerating, you are allowing the nutrients to move further into the soil and are allowing the roots of the grass to become stronger. You are also helping your soil to keep water for a longer period of time. By aerating once or twice a year, you will help your yard to remain greener, fuller and healthier through the seasons.

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It is in fact true that different types of grasses can only grow in certain climates. Because different varieties of grass require different things, not all types of grass will thrive or even survive in all climates. Just like shrubs and flowers, different grasses have different needs and your climate may not be able to provide what certain varieties need. When choosing a grass mix for your lawn you need to keep many things in mind, including your climate, moisture level, soil mix and amount of sunlight.

The first thing you need to consider is whether you in a warm, cool or moderate grass growing regions. Places lie in the north are classed as cool growing zones, whereas as southern regions are warm growing zones. There is also the area in the United States known as the transitional zone which has warmer summers than cool growing zones, but cooler winters than those common in the warm growing zone. Bahia and Centipede are examples of grass varieties that are suited to warmer climates, whereas Fescue grasses do better in moderate or cooler growing zones. If you live in a very warm southerly climate or a cold northern spot, then it will be much more difficult for you to grow many varieties of grasses. Most grass varieties are not suited to these real extremes in temperature and moisture.

Different soil components also contribute to the types of grasses that will grow in your area. Some grasses do better in soils that are rich in clay and organic matter, whereas others strictly grow in dry, sandy spots. You may want to perform a pH test on your soil to check the nutrient levels and soil composition.

Grass varieties also differ in terms of moisture. Some grasses are more suited to damp or wet climates, whereas other types thrive in dry climates and are drought resistant. If you are in a drier climate, then it is important that you choose a grass that is able to withstand long periods without rain. There are some grasses out there that become dormant during droughts, but which come back to life again after watering. These are good choices for climates that see very little rain during the summer months.

Many seeds mixes are a combination of different grass types. Mixing grasses in this way will help improve the color, texture and overall strength of your lawn. Because some grasses are hardier than others, a mix will give you an overall look and feel that one single variety of grass may not. No matter what your grass needs, you should be able to find or create a grass seed mix at your local garden center that is just right for your specific needs.

You also need to be aware of how many hours of sunlight your grass can expect to get. Many grasses need at least half a day of direct sunlight, whereas there are some, like Fescue, that can survive in partial shade. Different grasses have different tolerance levels for shade so be sure to take this into consideration when choosing a grass type for your law.

When choosing a grass, you also need to keep in mind how much effort you re willing to put into your lawn care. Some varieties of grasses require little care, but many need a lot of patience and nurturing to really thrive. If you haven t the time or patience, then you want to choose a no-fuss variety that may not look as good or feel as good as other grasses, but will take very little time or energy on your part to grow.

Choosing a grass that it suited to your climate is one of the most important steps on the way to a healthy vital lawn. If you seed or sod with a grass that is suited to your areas soil type and climate and care for it properly, you will be rewarded with a dazzling front and back lawn that will be the envy of your neighborhood.

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Pruning is the process by which a plant, hedge or a tree is trimmed or cut so that some stems, branches and limbs are removed. Pruning is done to help shape a plant. It can also be done to redirect the growth of a plant, hedge or tree. Pruning is also necessary to remove dead or injured stems, branches and limbs.

Pruning tools fall into three separate categories. First there are pruning shears. These tools are the most commonly used pruning tools. Pruning shears can be used to trim shrubs and flowers. The can also cut through soft wood up to a thickness of 3/4 inch so they can be used to trim smaller growth on trees.

The other two types of cutting tools for pruning are loppers and saws. A lopper has a longer handle than gardening shears. It is a two-handed clipper that has a curved blade. Loppers are used for trimming and pruning small trees. Finally, you can use a garden saw for some of your pruning. These handled blades are useful in removing branches. Garden saws come in different sizes so you might even consider having a couple of different ones on hand.

It s important that you use the right one of these tools for your specific pruning needs. If you use a tool that is too small for a job, you will end with a limb that looks like it has been mangled. On the other hand, if you use a tool that is too big for a job, you may end with another kind of mess a massacre where you only intended a tiny trim. You also want to make sure that you keep your tool sharp and clean to prevent torn or ragged edges.

There is quite a range of tools on the market and all of them vary greatly in price. As with most things, you get what you pay for. The most expensive pruning tools have replaceable parts so you can merely purchase a new blade if yours becomes too dull. If you know you ll be doing a lot of pruning, you ll want to spend the money at the start and invest in good quality cutting tools that will last for years. If you have little pruning to do, then a less expensive pair will probably get the job done.

When purchasing a pruning tool, the first thing to look at is the blade. You want high quality steel cheaper models will have blades that won t stand up over the long haul. You also want to make sure that the blades come together smoothly.

There are some teflon-coated blades on the market. They claim that these blades will cut through the wood more smoothly, but many people don t notice a great deal of difference. You ll need to decide whether or not you want to go with coated or non-coated blades.

Take the time to examine any tool you are considering closely. If you do a bit of shopping around and put the effort into research, you ll end up with a much better tool.

Safety is the key when doing any pruning in your garden. You should wear gloves and also safety goggles when doing any trimming overhead.

To ensure the longevity of your pruning tools there are a few things you can do. Remember to clean your tools regularly. It is all too easy to transfer disease from plant to plant if you don t take the time to wipe down the blade before moving on. You also need to oil your clippers. You should also make sure your tools remain sharp. There is special equipment you can buy to sharpen your shears, but you might want to have them professionally sharpened or purchase a higher-end tool with replaceable blades. You should make sure you are storing your pruning tools in a dry place, especially through the winter months to prevent rusting.

Technorati Tags: landscaping, landscapes

Aerating your lawn will help to prevent soil compaction, which happens when the top four inches of soil compact and prevent nutrients, oxygen, and water from circulating around the grass properly. Aerating loosens the soil by removing cores of it and allowing room for the nutrients and air to circulate in the soil properly. The problem in home lawns is usually more prevalent in high traffic areas where people and pets might help the soil to compact more quickly than in other less disturbed parts of the lawn.

There is a simple test you can perform to figure out if you lawn is in need of aeration. Take a screwdriver out to your lawn when the soil is moderately moist. Attempt to probe the screwdriver into the soil. If it is very difficult to do, then you likely need to aerate right away. On the other hand, if there is just a little resistance, then there is no compaction problem and you do not need to aerate.

Getting your home lawn aerated, though not always a common practice, is not very expensive. In fact, the simplest and cheapest way to do it is to use a spading fork. Push the tines into the soil as far as you can then rock them back and forth. This is not the best way to aerate, but for lack of another way the tines will create space for the circulation and will loosen the soil. Because of the work involved, it is really only a method that works for small areas of lawn.

Another small lawn solution for aeration is to spend a few dollars and purchase a sod-coring tool. The sod-coring tool actually removes cores of soil and deposits them on the lawn. The plugs that are left behind are as helpful to your lawn as the holes themselves. The plugs bring microorganisms up from below that can help decompose the thatch that may have developed in your grass.

What, though, if you have a larger yard? In the case of a large yard, the two manual methods would be just too labor intensive. The answer is a power-driven core aerator. You can rent one at your local home or garden store. The machine takes hollow tubes and drives them into the lawn. Cores of soil are removed and left over the lawn. Some will, instead, have spoon shaped tines that perform the same task essentially. Leave the plugs on the lawn, but you can rake them in if you don t like the way they look laying on the grass.

No matter which method you use for aeration, there is a technique to it. First, go over the entire lawn in one direction, like if you were mowing. Then, go over another direction, perpendicular to what you had just done. Using this method to go over the entire lawn twice will give you the best results when aerating.

If you have a bare area in your yard or a part where the grass is just sparse, then you may want to combine seeding and aerating to get the good lawn results you want. If you choose to combine aerating with seeding, then you should go over the lawn six or ten times. There should be a lot of holes in the area you are seeding. Then, give the holes about a month so they can begin to heal so that you don t get speckled looking grass. Then, simply put out your seed, keep it watered, and you are on your way to a healthy and new looking lawn.

Aeration is an important, and often overlooked, part of lawn care. Golf courses and sports field maintenance teams do it all the time, but for some reason it gets neglected by homeowners. The process of aerating your lawn is not expensive, but can help you to a healthy lawn and help you avoid many problems you likely blamed on other things in the past.

Technorati Tags: landscaping, hedges, lawn

Hedges and topiaries go further back than the English. The early Greek society is credited with starting the trend of topiary, the Romans soon adopted the new trend, and symmetrical designs were soon found among the homes of the early Romans. Boxwood shrubs can easily be pruned into well-behaved shapes. They were used to section off parts of the estate and to keep order in the garden and estate lawns. Topiary art, the art of shaping shrubs into animals began during this time. Hedge gardens depended on the beauty of the shape of the hedges, rather than the bloom of bright flowers.

During the Romantic Movement in literature and art, the formal gardens of England with its structured walkways and sharply clipped shrubs and topiaries were softened in tone. This was largely because of the influence of the Romantic artists including Claude Monet. He not only painted beautiful and serene pictures of informal gardens, he also was noted for his beautiful informal garden. Informal gardens continued their popularity but small formal knot gardens remained.

Topiary shapes include, squares, circles pyramids and animals. The key to good-looking topiary shapes is they should be perfect. If it isn t perfect, it isn t topiary. One reason Boxwood shrubs are so popular is they are easily cut and sheared into shapes. They are softer than some of their counterparts and when they start to grow out, still hold their original shape and fine flowing lines.

It s recommended that you don t try to take on topiary shapes yourself. It would be just like cutting your own hair. If you aren t a professional or don t have a natural sculpturing talent, then don t try it. If you are going to hire a professional landscaper, be sure that one of their specialties is topiary work. This should be someone trained in shearing the shapes and correctly cutting to the proper height. Don t trust your topiaries to amateurs. Nothing looks worse than a topiary that isn t perfect.

Topiary can be any height, from the huge animals found in The Shining to the small neatly clipped hedges that line walkways. The most popular in my part of the world are the hedges that are used between properties to give privacy, or the smaller ones that are found under the windows of many of the homes in my area. I have noticed an increase in

Small topiary shapes in the front of newly erected business buildings. One of the most unusual I have noted is in front of a new insurance office. Two small trees, one on each side of the sign is shaped like those spiral lit Christmas trees that are popular during the holidays. The trees are the same height as the sign and give it an air of elegance and formality.

In some of the newer neighborhoods, I see the trend toward using small topiary hedges along the walk and the driveway to the house. I also see larger trees and shrubs used as privacy fences and windbreakers. In the more historical part of my town, topiary hedges are still widely used to surround picture windows framing them with large bushes on the sides, and smaller hedges trimmed to fit under the window.

If you want round shapes, then start with naturally rounded shrubs. Some of those choices are; arborvitae, hibiscus, boxwood, maple and pear. These are easily shaped and pliable. Other types of free-form plants will resist rounding and squaring. They are beautiful, like the azalea and the star jasmine but not good for topiary shapes.

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The first is the Canadian hemlock; it s classified as a tree and plant type as evergreen. They have a moderate growth rate and do well in full sun, partial sun, and shade. The botanical name for it is Tsuga canadensis. They can be grown in zones 4, 5, 6, and 7. At their maturity, they can stand 30 to 50 feet tall. To make a good hedge, they need to be planted about four foot apart in a row. Canadian hemlocks are soft and have a pyramid shape with a tapering trunk. It s a beautiful conifer, makes a great hedge, and is an excellent choice for moist, well drained, and sandy soils. The Canadian hemlock has graceful foliage and can be used as a stand-alone tree or as hedge or windbreak. It s best if they are transplanted when the plants are four years old.

The Norway spruce is another popular conifer for use as hedges and windbreaks. They are found throughout much of the United States and Canada. They adapt easily to low moisture and various soil types. They have a fast growth rate, classified as a tree and are consider an Evergreen plant type. They are good for planting in zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. At maturity, they will grow to a height of 50 to 75 feet. When they are first planted, they are approximately 10-16 . This conifer has branches that grow densely into one another. They are good for windbreaks and should be planted 6 feet apart to be used in that way. As the tree matures, the side branches become horizontal and begin turning up at the tip. The secondary branches hang down from the main branches making it an attractive ornamental tree with graceful flowing branches.

The Douglas fir is a versatile and popular tree. It can and is used as a Christmas tree, it also is popular as a windbreak tree, and it can be sheared to form a beautiful hedge. The mature shape is in the shape of a pyramid and it will grow to a height of 50-60 feet high. It spreads naturally outward 20-30 feet. The Douglas fir needs full sun and is adaptable to a wide variety of soil types and moisture content. You can plant Douglas firs in loam, clay, and sandy soil and it will still grow well. The trees are a beautiful blue green color and remain that color all year long. It can be planted in zones 3-6. The botanical name for the Douglas fir is Pseudotsuga menziessi glauca. Douglas fir, Douglas, Oregon pine, yellow or red spruce and interior fir are the names it is known by most commonly. The needles are flat with a pointed tip and the needles appear to stand out around the main twig. The Douglas fir also produces cones that turn from green to gray as they mature.

The bark on the Douglas fir is smooth, with a gray-brown color. It has resin-filled blisters when the plants are young and after the tree has aged the bark becomes deeply grooved.

Many animals use the Douglas fir as a source of food. Squirrels, chipmunks, mice, winter wrens, and crossbills eat the fir seeds. Bears will scrape off the bark to reach and eat the layer of sap on the layer beneath the bark. The tree is also highly valued because of its dense wood. It is hard, stiff, and durable. The wood makes it perfect for heavy construction such as trestles, bridge parts, piers, and commercial buildings.

When you choose the trees you want on your property, investigate thoroughly and your local extension office is a good source of information. You need to be sure the trees you choose are good for you climate zone and for your soil conditions.

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The shape of a box hedge depends completely on its species. Many box hedges grow to be spherical. Some species will grow upward and be skinnier than others. Almost all species, being evergreens, will provide a green look all year. This is perfect for those who want their hedge to maintain its look, even in the winter months. The protection will also last throughout the winter as well. With a thick coverage of leaves throughout the box hedge, birds and other forms of wildlife will enjoy this type of hedge greatly.

Not only will birds and wildlife flock to the hedge in the warm seasons to eat, rest, and nest, they will also find it warm and comforting in the cooler months. Many animals that do not hibernate or migrate in the winter need a place to call their home. Box hedges are the perfect solution for these animals. If you are interested in attracting wildlife to your yard or property, adding the box hedge is a great way to do so.

Boxwood hedges are known for their long life spans. The typical life span for a boxwood hedge is three hundred years or more. This is an incredible amount of time. When adding a box hedge to your property you can think about how the plant will provide wildlife in your area with protection and comfort long after you are gone. It will also provide beauty and enjoyment to the yard for many years to come. These hardy plants are great investments. You will certainly get enough use out of them and will come to rely on their hardiness.

Many species of box hedges offer small blooms in spring times. Most of the blooms are so small however that they are virtually unnoticed. Depending on what species you are dealing with, these hedges can vary a lot in size and height. The differences are drastic, with some getting only one foot tall and others getting over 15 feet tall. If you are looking for a particular height, be sure to research the species you are considering. You may also want to fork over cash for a more mature box hedge because they grow very slowly. The average box hedge will only grow a few inches a year. So, if you want a tall hedge immediately, you may want to visit a nursery for a mature plant.

Like all other hedges, the box hedge is very easy to maintain. Once it is planted and initially watered after the planting, there is very little to do. You can simply watch your hedge thrive on its own with the help of natural sunlight and rainwater. You can choose to prune the plant as often as you like. Experts typically suggest pruning it once a year at least. However, if you prefer a messier look, you can leave it growing naturally.

Some species of box hedges will grow in harsh climates, while others may be able to grow throughout only mild winters. If you live in an area where below freezing temperatures are very common in the winter months, be sure to get a species that can handle those temperatures. The plants are very hardy but some species do have their breaking points.

Again, if you are looking for a great way to add green to your yard all year long, a box hedge is a great choice. You can choose from many different sizes and heights. This hedge works well in style with existing plants as well. You can count on the box hedge to add beauty and life to your yard even when there is snow on the ground.

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Hedges serve a variety of different purposes. They are a nice and more natural alternative to fencing and can mark the boundaries of your property as well as wood or chain link fencing. Hedges also act as wind and privacy screen. A well-placed hedge can protect you from any prying eyes and nosy neighbors. Hedges are also natural barriers to different wildlife species.

Hedges also give your garden structure. They provide natural breaking points and give your garden a strong framework if placed properly. The bulk of hedges also balance the lighter flowers and foliage. Hedges are the perfect natural dividers for your garden.

When laying out your garden, you should consider how it is in relation to the house. Though gardens no longer have to take all their cues from the house (as they once did), but there still be some kind of natural flow to your garden. It is important to take some time and assess the long-term plan and look of your garden. Determining this will help you see how beneficial hedges will be in the grand scheme of things. Hedges will help define areas. They will also create sight lines and influence the perspective of your garden. Perspectives are important because they contribute to the underlying framework of your garden and it is the framework from which other elements take their cues. You need to make sure that there is a balance to your space and hedges are very effective as natural dividers.

Colored hedges may be attractive initially, but you will probably tire of them at some point. It is perhaps best to stick with green hedges. Other plants can give your garden the color you desire and the green of the hedges will provide an excellent background for these other colors.

Hedge shapes don t have to be boring or traditional anymore. Hedges can be clipped into more simple abstract shapes that give your garden a more contemporary look. If you prefer a more traditional look, than by all means go that route, but if you want something edgier or more contemporary, don t dismiss hedges just because you think they are too boring and not versatile. Just use your imagination!

There are two main styles of hedges: formal and informal. Formal hedges are probably what most people are more familiar with. Tall hedges can be more interesting that you might imagine, creating not only a sense of enclosure, but also one of mystery.

You can also play off the formal look of hedges in your garden. The smooth, well-trimmed formal hedge serves as a strong architectural element in many classically designed gardens, but these formal hedges also serve as a wonderful contrast to more wild and flower-filled garden spaces. Having the contrast of the formal, well-maintained hedge and free-flowing wildflowers can make quite a statement and be quite striking if done well.

Traditional hedges make use of more formal and structured designs that can be used in a contemporary manner, though some designers have used more curved and flowing shapes to great effect. The main point is that even the most traditional and formal hedges can look contemporary if placed in the right setting.

Informal hedges are used more for decoration than structure. They are often not clipped as neatly. Informal hedges make lovely edges for pathways.

Deciding on a formal or informal hedge really depends on the look you are going for and what you will like long term. Remember hedges will be there for years and you need to choose something that you will enjoy decades after they have been planted. Take the time to plot out your garden and choose the types of hedges that will suit the look you are searching for and the time you have to devote to your garden. You also need to remember that a hedge will grow and become wider over the years this is particularly important to remember when planting a hedge near a driveway or a path. When considering hedges you need to think not only of your current needs, but also your future ones.

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Do dig a planting trench instead of individual plant holes. The spacing will vary with the plant and the purpose of the hedge. It s recommended that small formal hedges be spaced six to eight inches apart. Larger plants can be spaced 18-30 inches. If you want an untrimmed or informal hedge, it s best to put plants in a double row. Stagger the plants 12 inches apart.

Do place your plants in double rows if your hedge is going to be larger than 39 inches. It also will help establish your hedge a little quicker. Overcrowded plants produce the same top growth spread as would more thinly spaced and fewer plants. Planting too close also could give you the problem of amassing deadwood.

Do prepare the hedge line by mapping out where you want it to be. Remember this will be a long-term feature so be sure you put it exactly where you want it. Consider property lines, and ensure your hedge doesn t infringe on your neighbors lawn or driveway. The soil needs to be well drained. If your surrounding area is a place where water gathers, you may want to put drainage coil or field drains to carry the water away from your plants. After digging the soil, two spade depths and one half times the width of the mature hedge. For instance, for a two-foot wide hedge, the trench should be dug to a width of three feet.

Do use a garden line to be sure your hedge is straight. Mark out the hedge line and remember hedges will grow outward so leave enough space for the plant to mature. Place your plants along the garden line and then plant as you would any other tree or shrub. Be sure to plant all of your plants at the same depth. You can do that by using a garden stake for a guide or a shovel handle.

Don t allow your plants to dry out before planting, especially if they are bare-root plants. If you are going to let them set, keep them in the shade and cover them with Hessian.

Don t allow your newly planted hedges to dry out. Water them thoroughly when you plant and water regularly especially during dry periods for up to a year. Your newly planted hedges need to be watered thoroughly even if it looks about to rain.

Don t leave your newly planted hedge without giving it a good quantity of organic matter such as aged manure, and plenty of compost.

Do give then a good covering of mulch to help hold moisture in the soil and give them a good fertilizer with a base of bonemeal, blood, or fish and bonemeal. Do feed them regularly once the hedge is established. The mulch should be made of bark chips or something similar to keep weed growth in check. You won t need to replace it as it rots away because its only role is to help get the plants established after planting.

Don t leave your hedges to their own devices. They grow upwards and become thinner at the top and thicker on the bottom. Pruning is important in the first few years of growth to ensure your plants grow in into a thick and effective hedge. After planting, cut deciduous plants back by one third. Side shoots should also be cut back by one third. Remember that shrubs will make up for being trimmed on the top by sending out side shoots. You need to trim vertical height to promote bushy sideways growth.

Even though you are planting young, small plants, they will overcome larger plants that are planted at the same time. You will be happier with the results after planting small plants in the years to come.

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The soil for your hedgerow should be well prepared and marked. This will be a long-term investment both in money and energy, so planning is a big part. Your soil should be well drained. If it isn t, then drainage coils or tiles should be installed to let the moisture drain around your hedge.

Plant in double rows and staggered for better coverage and quicker growing time. Don t overcrowd your plants. Overcrowded plants produce the same amount of top growth between them. You can plant more thinly with fewer plants giving the same amount of coverage. Overcrowding also causes a build-up of deadwood around the bottom of your shrubs.

Use a garden line to set up your hedges. Using the eyeball measure just doesn t result in having good hedge lines. It s preferable if you dig a trench rather than individual holes, so you can keep the plants at the same depth. After your trench has been dug, lay out your plants where they need to go so you are sure they will be equally spaced. Plant spacing is important and will vary with the hedge you want and what purpose it is for. Small, formal hedges need the plants to be spaced between 6-8 inches apart. Larger free-flowing shrubs should be planted between 18-30 inches apart and larger trees to be used for windscreens should be spaced about six feet apart.

After planting, you should use a good fertilizer with natural compost. Water well, and keep watered especially through dry spells for at least a year. To keep the moisture around the plants, place wood bark mulch around them. As they grow, and the mulch begins to rot, there isn t any need to replace it. The mulch is mostly used for keeping the moisture around the plants when they are young and tender.

Planting should be done in late autumn and winter. Important items to remember, small plants establish quickly, and colorful hedges make a design statement. Remember, you have to live with these plants for a longtime, be sure that a stark green hedge is what you want, or a hedge that is constantly changing colors. You may tire of the hedges that are different colors, so think of your choices before you buy the plants for your hedge.

Something else to consider is if you want a formal or more informal look in your landscape. Different shrubs are better for hedges that are more formal and need to be trimmed more often to keep them looking neat. Regular weeding will encourage good growth in the early years and will decrease competition for moisture and nutrients in the soil. Your hedge will be greedy; it will need plenty of nutrients so your local nursery can recommend a general all-purpose fertilizer. Be sure to not overfeed, or scorch the stem or roots of your shrubs and read the labels on the fertilizer containers carefully before using.

With proper care and pruning, a hedge can be a wonderful asset to your landscape. Don t allow them to get too tall before trimming. One of the biggest mistakes you can make with your hedge is to let it grow too tall before trimming. If this happens, you need to trim in stages so your hedges will remain healthy. When plants are allowed to grow too tall, it causes the bottom to be shaded out. It becomes weak with leggy sprigs growing in complete disorder. As a rule, you should prune back six inches every time the hedge has grown 12 inches.

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The first thing you should realize when attempting to form the shape of your hedges is shearing is different from pruning. Shearing, also known as trimming, can involve the shaping of each individual branch in the hedge. Pruning, on the other hand, selectively removes certain branches to maintain shape and form, and promote healthy growth and appearance of the hedges. Shearing is what needs be done to begin to shape your hedges and then regular pruning sessions should be performed in order to maintain a perfect shape.

Next, when attempting to form the shape of your hedges, you should consider the type of hedges, and determine the proper time of year that your hedges should be sheared or pruned. Knowing which type of hedge works best for shaping and asking at your local garden center will help you get the best start. Be sure to let your garden provider know what you would like to do with your hedges so they can best provide you with the correct information to get you started. When you shear your hedges to form their shape at the appropriate times of year, you will see the best results. Hedges that flower in the spring are best shaped after their flowering stage. If you shape your hedges before the flowering stage is finished, you will be shearing off buds, thus giving you less flowering. Hedges that bloom in the summer are best shaped in the late summer, after the flowering stage is complete. Most varieties of evergreen shrubs that do not flower in the summer or spring can be shaped just about any time of the year. Before you begin to form the shape of the hedges, research the variety of hedges to determine the best time of year to shape them.

Using the right tools will also help form the shape of your hedges. While using electrical hedge trimmers can be done, professionals claim it is best to use a pair of hand held hand hedge pruning shears to form the shape of your hedges. Hand held hedge pruning shears will give you a closer cut, and will be able to reach places that electrical hedge trimmers cannot. Some varieties of hedges cannot be pruned with electrical hedge trimmers. It is important to research the variety of your hedges before you attempt to form their shape with electrical hedge trimmers. If you do decide an electrical trimmer may be best for you, you may want to consider using hand held hedge pruning shears for the first cut of the shaping, and then use the electrical hedge trimmers to maintain the shape in later pruning sessions.

When forming the shape of your hedges, there is something else you should take into consideration. When shaping your hedges, you should first thin out all of the dead branches, by cutting them completely off. Depending on your desired shape, you should then cut out any crossed branches, or any branches you find unsuitable for your desired shape. Next, you should trim the top, taking no more than six inches off the top. You do not want to overdo it on the first cut; you will eventually reach your desired size and shape. Finally, when you shape down the sides, you should always remember to leave the bottom just a bit wider than the top. This will encourage leaf growth from the top to the bottom of your hedges, as opposed to leaf development from the bottom to the top of your hedges.

Forming the shape of your hedges is not all that difficult, but it does take time and effort. You likely will not achieve the shape you want after the first shearing, but that is normal. Sometimes it takes several seasons to achieve the desired shaped of your hedges.

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When you test your soil in your lawn, you will be able to measure how much of each type of nutrient your lawn will need to receive. There are several ways to test your soil, as well as different conclusions that can be reached by measuring the soil in your lawn.

The first way to test your soil is through finding the pH balance of your soil. There are several test kits that are available for your use to determine the level of pH that your soil is at. If you are uncertain about using one of these kits, there are universities and companies which offer pH balance testing for your soil. By knowing the pH, you can determine how many nutrients will be needed in order to balance out the soil. If the pH is off, it will be harder for the right nutrients to be given to your grass. By balancing out the nutrients through the pH, it will help with the growth of your lawn.

The second thing to consider with your soil is what type of soil you have. There are generally four different categories that are included in the types of soils that are present. The first kind is sand. This is usually light and airy. If your lawn has sandy soil, it will be harder to maintain for several reasons. It is unable to carry a large amount of water or nutrients in it because it is a grainy type of soil that is smaller in size. If you have sandy soil, it is best to either replace it with a lot of nutrients, or water frequently.

The second type of soil is silt. This type of dirt is usually found around river beds. Like sand, it can not retain much water and erodes easily. The problem with silt is that it will not retain water or nutrients when you water. Instead, it will wash away. The third type of soil is clay. This is opposite of sandy soil, as it is heavy in texture. While it absorbs water and nutrients easier, because of its thick texture, it is often hard for this to reach the lawn. The fourth type of soil is loam. This is noted to be a balanced type of soil, with a good amount of nutrients, but it won t cause drainage or hold things away from the plants.

You can test the soil you have by digging into your yard and picking up a handful of dirt. If the dirt clumps together, it is more like the clay. If it falls easily out of your hand it is closer to the sandy or silt type of soil. The loam soil will be found if it stays in your hand, but does not clump together when you test it.

Once you know which type of soil you have, you can determine what types of nutrients or fertilizer you need to add in order to grow a great looking lawn. If the nutrients are unbalanced in your yard, you might have problems with brown spots or wilting.

Soil testing will also help in determining how often you need to water your lawn. If the soil is closer to a clay type, then it won t be necessary to water your lawn as much. If it is closer to a sandy or silt type of soil, then it is important to water it consistently, as the water won t be absorbed as easily.

By testing your soil for both the pH balance, as well as for type of soil, you will be able to know how to maintain your lawn with little to no extra work. It will also help your lawn to look healthy throughout the spring, summer and fall seasons.

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The first thing to consider with the proper lawn mower for your lawn is what type of mower will be best for your grass. This can be determined by whether your lawn is on a slope or flat ground, what type of machine would have the easiest type of maintenance, and what type of environment you are in.

If you have to cut grass on a slope, the best type of lawn mower is one with high wheels. This will make it easier to push up a hill, or to move back down the hill with. The second type of lawn mower that is available is a cordless or electric mulching lawn mower. This doesn t have gas, making it less messy to mow with. It also helps with mulching on your lawn. The third type of lawn mower that can be used is a reel lawn mower. These are said to be more environmental friendly, not contributing to pollution and are easier to mow with.

Beyond deciding which is the right type of lawn mower to use, is the maintenance which it receives. This will not only allow the mower to last longer, but will also give your grass a better cut. Every spring, the different parts of the lawnmower should be cleaned or repaired. The main thing that should be looked at is the wear and tear that is in the spark plugs. This also includes the nuts and bolts that are holding the mower together. They should be tight when they are fastened to the lawnmower. Besides checking or replacing this in the spring, you should check to make sure they don t become loose throughout the duration of the season.

One part which should be cleaned at least twice throughout the season is the deck of the lawn mower. This helps the lawn mower to remain consistent while cutting and will help it to last longer. It will also help in preventing the spread of diseases in grass. In order to clean the deck of the lawnmower, you should first empty the gas tank and make sure that the spark plug is not connected. You can then stand the mower up on its side and spray the mower with water. You can then scrub off the rest of the dirt and grass that is stuck on the mower. Make sure to dry the mower after you have finished rinsing it off, to make sure that none of the parts rust.

Two other parts of the mower which should be maintained are the oil and the air filters. The air filters should be cleaned or replaced on a regular basis. Before removing the filter to replace, make sure that you know whether it is paper or foam. The oil that is maintained includes lubricating your mower by putting some oil into the fuel. This is only for two-cycle engine lawn mowers. The four-cycle engine lawn mower should always have oil filled before you mow.

One important part of maintenance, which will help your mower to last longer and will help your grass look better, is sharpening the blades every one to two months. This will allow a clean cut of the grass, rather than rips that may happen in the lawn. You can easily do this by removing the blade from the mower and sharpening it with a file.

When it is no longer necessary to mow your lawn, there are certain things that you can do for your lawnmower to make a better hibernating season. The first is to remove the gas from the gas tank. You should also remove the oil from the mower. If these are left in the mower over the winter, they get to old and get a bad texture to them.

With consistent and proper care of your lawnmower, you will be able to keep your lawn looking great through the seasons and years.

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First thing you will have to do on the road to your new lawn is to test the soil. At your local do-it-yourself store you will be able to find a self testing soil kit. However, the local Agricultural Extension Service will be able to do it much more accurately than a do-it-yourself kit can and they generally will test your soil for fewer than ten dollars. The test will let you know the pH of the soil and whether or not it needs phosphorus or potassium.

If it turns out your soil is too acidic, you can correct the problem by adding lime. On the other hand, you can use sulfur if the soil is found to be too alkaline. If you decide to use your Agricultural Extension Service for the testing, they will also be able to tell you what to add, how much to add, and how often to add it in order to grow your lawn. No matter what you need to add or till into the soil, once you have done it you should rake it flat and remove any large stones from the area. You are ready to get going on your new lawn.

You will need to make a decision on what type of seed you are going to use for your new yard. You can ask the Agricultural Extension Service for advice about what grows best in your area, you can ask someone you see with a nice lawn, or talk to someone at a local lawn and garden store. Once you have decided what you are growing, buy some seed, but keep in mind that you generally will not get the best results with cheaper seeds.

Your climate will play a large role in when you plant and what you plant. If you live in a warm southern climate you will likely be planting a warm-season grass seed. These will need to be spread in the spring. If you live in the north or Midwest, you will likely be planting a cool-season grass like fine fescue or Kentucky bluegrass. These should be planted in the fall for best results.

To seed your lawn you can use your hand, a broadcast spreader, or a drop spreader. The broadcast spreader will likely be your best bet if you have a small to medium sized yard. The drop spreader is made more for larger areas. Once you have planted the seeds, you should water the area at least a couple of times a day. By keeping the seed bed moist, you will be making sure that the grass successfully germinates.

If you don t want to mess with seeding a lawn, there are a couple of other options. You can plant grass plugs. Plugs are small little groups of grass that spread by runners if you plant them in a prepared bed of soil. The other option is to look at is laying sod. Sod is like lawn carpet. It can also be installed any time of year except for the winter. Sod will give you quick results, but still must be put into prepared soil to take correctly.

New houses are popping up all over the country, and people are gobbling them up quickly. When a new home is built, however, the area around it is often torn up during the construction process. Not only is the grass torn up and destroyed, but the top soil may also be missing, and it is an important component in a good lawn. In order to get your lawn going, you should have the soil tested, get the pH where it needs to be, and select the proper grass for your lawn. Once you have prepped the soil and have your seed spread out, you just need to water and care for the area and before you know it you have a gorgeous, thick, and inviting yard with your new house.

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St. Augustine grass is usually a light to medium green color and as mentioned before is course in texture. Its growth habit is fast and it creeps along, filling in the lawn as it goes.

St. Augustine grass needs to be mowed to a height of 2.5 to 3.5 inches for best results. If you have shady areas, you need to let the grass grow a little longer. In the hottest part of summer, raise the mowing height and don t mow at all if you re experiencing a season of drought. St. Augustine grass will knit itself into a tight turf that naturally resists weeds if you fertilize properly. It actually smothers weeds, as the grass grows so thick. The grass has aggressive aboveground runners called stolons that can grow inches per day laterally. In addition, iron in a fertilizer will give you the maximum green color that lawn enthusiasts desire. Fertilization is best done in Spring, Summer and Fall. Early in Spring your St. Augustine lawn needs a weed and feed pesticide that will kill broadleaf that is already up and growing and stops new weed seeds from germinating. Also in late spring you should use a fertilizer and pest control if it is needed. You should use lawn fertilizer in the summer and insect control but only as needed. In the early fall, St. Augustine grass should be winterized with a winter conditioner. If your lawn s ph level is discovered to be too low, then lime should be added in late winter or early spring. It is important to remember when fertilizing your lawn to use a fertilizer spreader to spread lawn care products evenly over your lawn.

Maintenance will depend on the temperature of the soil, water levels, and your mowing and fertilization schedule. If temperatures are cool, the grass will grow slower and less mowing is required. St. Augustine grass needs to be regularly irrigated or watered to keep it healthy. It requires two inches of water every seven days to preserve its green color and keeping it from going dormant. If it does go dormant, it will green right up again as soon as it receives the moisture it needs. If you have more than inch of dead stems and debris on the soils surface, you will need to thin and clear out the dead thatch for a healthy lawn. You should do this in the spring just before new growth begins. The root-growing season starts in April and goes through October.

Two pests cause damage to any lawn with St. Augustine grass. One is known as St. Augustine Decline, which is a virus and the other, is a bug called a chinch bug. These are tiny black insects with white wings. You will probably find them in hot dry spots of your lawn. If you are unsure if you have them, you can make them come to the surface by soaking the spot with a bucket of soapy water. To repair spots damaged by the virus or the chinch bugs you will need to plant sprigs of a resistant strain of St. Augustine grass such as Floratam or Floralawn. Check with your county extension to see how and when to best control both problems.

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1. Bermudagrass

Bermudagrass can be both a blessing and curse. It can be uncontrollable and can invade your flowerbeds and produce an uncontrollable amount of grass seeds. All of this stress and aggravation is worth it though, especially if you have neither the time nor the inclination to nurture your lawn. Bermudagrass can survive for decades with very little care and can also work well as a winter lawn in place of perennial ryegrass. This grass is tough and hardy and is often used on roadsides in the south because of its ability to stand up to real wear and tear with little maintenance.

Bermudagrass needs a warm climate. It is both drought and wear resistant. It is fast growing and the comma Bermuda variety is quite cheap. It does need full sun to thrive and has a very low tolerance for shady areas. Don t plant Bermudagrass if your lawn does not get a great deal of direct sunlight.

2. Centipede

Like Bermudagrass, centipede is quite low maintenance and does not require frequent mowing or fertilization. It does not, however, grow quickly and it cannot withstand heavy traffic in the way that Bermudagrass can.

Centipede is a tough grass variety that is particularly suited to areas in the lower South and where the soil is quite acidic. This variety of grass can take root where many other grasses have failed. Centipede grass can grow in some shade, but you will get best results if it is full sun or almost full sunspots.

Centipede grass should be fertilized in the spring with low-nitrogen fertilizer. You need to make sure that your fertilizer does not contain phosphorus. The ideal mix to look for is 15-0-15. The ideal pH level for centipede grass is between four and a half and five and a half.

3. Zoysia

Zoysia is a very dark and dense turf and it the most tolerant of cold of the entire southern climate suited grasses. The ideal pH level for this variety of grass is between six and seven.

Zoysia is quite slow to take root if grown right from seed. You can bypass this difficultly by laying sod, rather than growing the grass right from seed. If you decide to go with sees, then you will have to have a great deal of patience.

Zoysia does best in full sun, but there are some sub-varieties that can do well in the shade. The Emerald Zoysia variety has a high shade tolerance. Zoysia also has somewhat of a drought tolerance, though you will need to stay on top of the water level and make sure that you water your grass if the drought lasts longer than a week. Zoysia can deal with some dry spells, but not really lengthy ones. Zoysia grasses should be fertilized in both the spring and the fall.

This variety of grass is the most attractive of the warm season grasses, but it comes at a price. Zoysia grass takes a great deal of care and nurturing on your part to achieve the luxurious look it is known for. If you don t have the time or energy to devote to this type of grass, then you should probably consider planting one of the other varieties of warm climate grasses.

There are some other warm climate grasses that will do well if you live in a southern climate. There are also some tall fescue varieties that can do well in southern areas too, especially those that are resistant to droughts.

At your local garden center, they should have a mix for your area. Grass companies have spent a great deal of time and money researching the best mix for your area. If you don t have the time or want to do extensive research into the specific kinds of grass that are best suited to your land, then one of these grass seeds mixtures may be your best bet.

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1. Prepare the soil. One of the important things about sod is that it will need to find the right nutrients in your soil once it is laid in your yard. Because of this, it is important to take out all of the old weeds that you have and turn the soil over. After this, you should make sure that the soil is balanced through pH as well as through the type of soil that you have. One way to prepare the soil is to add the right amount of fertilizer and compost for the soil to continue mixing in nutrients to the lawn. The last thing that you need to do in order to prepare the soil is to even out the yard, leaving as much of a flat surface as possible. You should also remove in rocks or debris that will get in the way of planting the sod.

2. Laying out the sod. When you begin laying out the sod, it is best to start on the outer edges and then work into the center with different strips. This is done to prevent the sod from drying out. Because the edges have the strongest tendency to dry out, starting with the sod that has the full width will allow for more nutrients and water to be available at the edges. Because sod isn t evenly laid, and is different for every yard, you may have to cut strips out of the sod. This is best done in the middle of the yard where there is more sod.

3. Stagger the ends of the sod. If you have to get extra rolls in order to cover your entire lawn, then it is best done by making sure that the ends and beginnings of each piece of sod touch the ends of each other. It is also important to make sure that they don t overlap. By doing this, you won t allow gaps of dirt to take over certain places of the sod and will allow for a consistent green lawn. Strips of sod that are adjacent to each other should be staggered between rows. By not lining them up exactly, it will help them to fit together better and grow easier into the ground.

4. Finishing the laying of sod. The first thing to do when finishing the sod is to make sure it is even. If there are parts on your yard that are lower than others, than you can add some topsoil to make sure that the grounding is even. After this is done, you should take a roller and press the sod into the ground. This will remove extra air pockets that you have missed when laying down the sod. This also allows the sod to make easier contact with the soil, which will ensure its growth and will move the roots into the soil.

5. Watering and mowing. Your sod should be watered everyday for a couple of weeks. This will help to ensure that the roots are moving into the soil. It will also allow for the right amount of nutrients to move into the sod. Your sod can easily dry out if the watering is not done. In this time, you shouldn t have to mow the sod, as it will cause extra stress to the grass. Once you see that the sod is settled into the soil, and is growing at an even rate, than you can start mowing on a regular basis.

Preparing and laying down sod properly is one way in order to make sure that your grass begins to grow healthy and become green throughout the season. By preparing your yard to lay down the sod and by following a few simple tips, your sod will grow into your soil easily.

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hedge location

intended purpose of the hedge

The following paragraphs will discuss why size matters in creating the perfect hedge, and what sizes are appropriate with different aspects figured in.

First, if your hedges are located close to your home, you may want to cut them smaller to create the perfect hedge. When located on the corner of the house, it is generally okay to allow the hedges to become a little bigger. But in order to prevent your hedges from blocking the views from your windows, and preventing them from growing taller than your home, hedges near your house generally should be of the smaller variety, such as dwarf hedges. Imagine peering out your kitchen window to see you children playing outside, only to be looking smack dab into an overgrown hedge. Size matters in creating the perfect hedge since if you leave hedges located in a certain spot without maintaining it and let it grow too large; it will not be the perfect hedge.

Next, since size matters in creating the perfect hedge, you should consider the plants around the hedges when deciding the perfect hedge size. Some important questions to ask your self will include:

How tall can the hedge safely grow without blocking the sun from the other plants? Will the hedge block a wanted view?

How wide can the hedge safely grow without blocking your view of the other plants? Will the hedge grow out onto a path or driveway?

How far should I trim my hedges back from the edge of my landscape bed for best visual appearance?

Since size matters in creating the perfect hedge, you should never allow your hedge to grow so tall that it blocks the sun from your other flowers and plants. If you’d like larger hedges, but the ones you currently have are blocking the sun from the other plants in your landscape bed, you may want to consider another location in your yard for the hedges. A place where they can freely grow, without hampering the growth of other flowers and plants will be the ideal spot for your hedge.

This same concept falls into place when questioning the width of a perfect hedge. If the width of your hedge is so wide that it blocks your other flowers and plants from view, the hedge is then considered too wide. If you wish to have wide hedges, you could consider a different location in your yard for the hedge, where it can grow wide without blocking your view of your other flowers and plants. The same is true of hedges that are too tall.

On the other hand, if your hedges are not located near your house, or in your flower beds, the perfect size could be larger. People often use hedges to serve as:

property line markers

privacy fences

sound barriers

When being used to serve these purposes, and those like them, hedges should be allowed to grow tall. No other flowers or plants should be planted near the hedges, and they will be free to grow as tall and as wide as you would want, or need them to be. Hedges that are at least 6 feet tall make great privacy fences, while thicker hedges will help soften the sound of passing cars or loud neighbors. When hedges are planted in parts of your yard away from your house, you will not have to worry about large hedges taking over your home, or blocking the view from your windows.

Size matters in creating the perfect hedge. If your hedge is too big, it could cause inconveniences and headaches, and if it is too small, it won t serve well as a privacy barrier. Make sure to ask yourself a few questions before planting your hedges. This can help prevent some of these problems, as well as following some hedge trimming tips. Location is everything when it comes to the perfect hedge size.

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Durability

If you are using your hedge as a boundary on your property, then you will be happy to know hedges are great at enduring all types of weather. Many property owners construct fences for boundary purposes, however fences are not as durable. They tend to break, crack, or even fall down in strong winds and cannot tolerate rain as well either. Most fences will begin to warp from wet weather, even when the wood is treated. Hedges on the other hand tend to take these things in stride. There is rarely an act of nature that will ruin a hedge.

Privacy

If you are looking for a beautiful way to get privacy from your neighbors, a hedge is the perfect solution. You can forgo unnatural looking fences and use tall hedges instead. Be sure to choose dense species for the best protection. You can also use evergreen species if you would like the privacy to be effective all year long. Overall, in addition to adding privacy to your property, hedges will also add beauty for a homeowner to enjoy.

Wildlife Enticer

If you are a property owner that enjoys the local wildlife, you will be happy to know that many hedges attract wildlife to your property. Nice dense hedges can be sources of food, shelter, and nesting for insects, birds, and other small animals. You will enjoy seeing more wildlife in your area and the animals, birds, and insects will appreciate their new home. If you are specifically interested in this benefit, be sure to choose appropriate species for the local wildlife in your area.

Security

If you are worried about people sneaking into your yard, a hedge may offer security for you. Many property owners complain endlessly about the neighborhood children riding their bikes through their yard. While this may not be your problem at all, a prickly hedge would certainly deter anyone from trying to enter your yard. You won t even need a fence with something as aggravating as this. Anyone who has tried to go through a spikey hedge will likely not try to do it twice.

Savings

The average fence costs twice as much as a nice hedge for your property. Therefore, by choosing to add a hedge to your property instead, you are saving a bundle. The great thing is that the hedge will continue saving you money in contrast with a fence. Hedges last for up to 100 years or more, meaning that you will never need to put more money into the project. They are also rarely in need of repair. Overall, hedges offer home owners a great deal of savings initially as well as throughout their lives.

Protection

Experts state that de